South Asian-native mosquitoes that are resistant to insecticides used in Africa have been found by Kenyan researchers.

Anopheles stephensi was the mosquito that experts from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) detected during a regular monitoring in the northern Marsabit county.

Even though it was not the typical season for the disease because local mosquitoes don't perform well in arid locations, data from hospitals there also revealed an increase in malaria cases.

This invasive mosquito can spawn anywhere and flourish in both dry and wet weather. Its larvae have been discovered in urban water containers in several nations.

Experts are concerned that malaria transmission will now continue all year round instead of being seasonal.

“Unfortunately, this detection in Kenya may translate to higher malaria transmission in urban and peri-urban settings in the country and could reverse gains made in the fight against malaria,” said Kemri's director-general, Dr Samuel Kariuki.

It will also make it difficult to eradicate malaria, which is one of the top killers of children below five years.

The researchers are urging Kenyans to use available malaria control tools such as sleeping under treated mosquito bed nets, use of repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites.

In Africa, the mosquito was first detected in Djibouti 10 years ago and has now been spotted in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.